Final in Saalbach

Feller’s ball should not be the only one

Manuel Feller

(Bild: Associated Press)

Last attack: At the World Cup final in Saalbach, Ski Austria has three more "mini chances" after Manuel Feller's slalom crystal.

The new battle of the globes! For the first time in the history of the Ski World Cup, an Alpine final will take place in the World Cup venue of Saalbach over two weekends instead of five days. For more attention, more TV presence, more ratings.

Four out of ten crystal globes have been awarded before the races on the slopes of the Zwölferkogel. However, there is (at least theoretically) suspense in six categories. And in three cases - after Feller's success in the slalom - Ski Austria athletes are still in the mix.

SLALOM

Mikaela Shiffrin has already secured her eighth globe in this discipline, as has Manuel Feller his first.

GIANT SLALOM

Marco Odermatt leads this ranking by 530 points (!) ahead of Filip Zubcic - that was a single solo run to Kristall. In the women's race, Italy's Federica Brignone still has a mini-chance: 95 points behind Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami.

SUPER-G

Conny Hütter has to make up 69 points on Lara Gut-Behrami, Vincent Kriechmayr 81 on Odermatt. Only one letter is given up ...

DEPARTURE

Stephanie Venier goes into the last race with 68 points and Conny Hütter with 72 points behind Gut-Behrami. Sofia Goggia is missing due to injury. However, Cyprien Sarrazin (FRA) returns for the men's final race against Odermatt (42 points ahead).

OVERALL WORLD CUP

Marco Odermatt has already secured his third major crystal, Lara Gut-Behrami still has to "tremble". The considerable lead of 282 points over Brignone should be enough, even if "Fede" tackles all four races in the final, while Lara skips the slalom.